I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen is actually a person who values ​​family very much and understands the hierarchy of elders and juniors. Lu Shuang is his father-in-law, which is equivalent to his father.

The previous dynasty can be referred to as the maternal father.

Although he was of a higher status, Li Shen still hoped that Lu Shuang could get closer to him, out of respect for Lu Dingniang.

Therefore, Li Shen felt very uncomfortable seeing Lu Shuang so reserved.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but this humble official..." Lu Shuang wanted to say something more.

At this moment, Li Shen personally took the teapot, poured a cup of tea for Lu Shuang, and handed it to her.

“Father-in-law, you and I are father-in-law and daughter-in-law. If we were an ordinary family, we should be closer and more intimate.”

This isn't the imperial court, father-in-law, there's no need to be so reserved.

"Dingniang and I treat each other with utmost respect; her father is naturally also my father."

Li Shen spoke sincerely; he hoped to break down the barriers between them.

Lu Shuang took the teacup with both hands, looked at Li Shen, and after a while said:

"Since Your Highness has said so, then this humble official shall take the liberty of granting Your Highness's request."

"Haha, that's excellent!" Li Shen laughed heartily.

"If you are not satisfied with your position in the Ministry of War, I can do my part to get you transferred to a local post as a prefect. What do you think?"

The Vice Minister of War is the second-in-command of the Ministry of War, a fourth-rank official. If he could be transferred to a medium-sized prefecture as a prefect, he would at least be a third-rank official, which would be considered a promotion.

If you do a good job, you can be transferred to a superior county and promoted by half a rank, becoming a third-rank official, the same rank as a high-ranking official in the central government.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness. However, I have been working in the Ministry of War for a long time. I am afraid I would not be able to handle the task of governing a prefecture. I would prefer to remain in the Ministry of War."

Lu Shuang politely declined after hearing this.

Li Shen could also understand Lu Shuang's refusal, so he didn't press the matter further. Everyone has their own ambitions. Li Shen's idea was to slowly climb the ranks in the local area, and perhaps he could become a governor or commander.

This is a true power holder.

Although Lu Shuang is already the second-in-command in the Ministry of War, it would be very difficult, almost impossible, for him to rise to the top position and become a minister.

Because Li Shen knew that Lu Shuang really didn't have the ability to enter the central management level.

If he had that talent, he would have been promoted long ago. Take Ma Zhou, for example; he came from a poor family, and now he's a prime minister.

"Very well, my father-in-law has his own plans, and I will not insist. If there is anything you need, please feel free to ask. Although I have been away from the court for a long time..."

She still has some influence with the Crown Prince and even more with His Majesty, so she can still offer some small favors.

Li Shen nodded. He actually wanted to say that although he had no face, he had money.

With your father's greedy and lustful nature, you could get anything done for him if you threw a cartload of gold at him.

"Hehe, thank you very much, Your Highness." Lu Shuang said with a smile.

Judging from the situation, Lu Shuang was planning to work in the Ministry of War until retirement. This was Li Shen's current thought, but after looking at Lu Shuang, Li Shen thought to himself:

Lu Shuang is only forty years old this year, in the prime of her life. It seems that people in the Tang Dynasty don't retire until they are seventy.

In other words, Lu Shuang has to work for another thirty years.

That's incredibly unambitious! His mother-in-law is so beautiful and charming, doesn't he want to get promoted and make money to support her properly?

Lu Dingniang is only eighteen years old this year, and Lu Shuang and his wife are not very old either; Zheng Shi is only in her thirties.

Placed on a solid foundation, it perfectly embodies youthful beauty.

Alas, what a pity.

"By the way, is there a vacancy available for the position of Vice Minister in the Ministry of War?"

Li Shen suddenly remembered that he had killed Cui Dunli, a vice minister of the Ministry of War, and for a long time, his father-in-law was the only vice minister of the Ministry of War.

Many families are eyeing this position.

If it weren't for Zheng Shi, a woman from a prominent family, Lu Shuang would have no way to secure his position.

"Your Highness, I've heard that someone has already been chosen for the other position of Vice Minister."

Lu Shuang replied.

"Oh? You've found someone? I wonder who it is?" It's been several years already, and Cui Dunli has been dead for so many years, yet no one has been chosen.

"Some people recommended Yang Hongli to succeed as Vice Minister of War, the Crown Prince intended to promote Han Yuan, and there were two others, one from the Cui family and the other from the Li family of Longxi, who seemed to be collateral relatives of the imperial clan."

“Yang Hongli? Didn’t Yang Hongli go to the Western Expeditionary Army? If I remember correctly, he was the Chief Clerk of the Kunqiu Road Army. He hasn’t returned to Chang’an yet.”

As soon as Lu Shuang finished speaking, Li Shen asked in confusion.

He vaguely remembered Yang Hongli; he had seen this person at Ashina She'er's place.

Yang Hongli was born into the Hongnong Yang clan, a core family of the Guanlong Group, second only to the Five Families.

"The one who recommended Yang Hongli this time was Duke Yuwen Chongsi of Ying, because this western expedition was a great success and all the generals who participated would be rewarded."

Yang Hongli, as the chief clerk, had been following General Ashina on campaigns and had made considerable contributions.

Lu Shuang explained to Li Shen.

"It really is them." Li Shen realized. Yuwen Chongsi, a member of the Yuwen family, was a descendant of the Northern Zhou royal family and one of the four core families of the Guanlong Group.

It seems that various factions have started vying for positions. A vice minister of the Ministry of War is no small matter; he is the second-in-command of the Ministry of War, and for them, the chance of being promoted to the top position is very high.

In Li Shen's view, the Guanlong Group was the most powerful interest group and the most powerful elite group in the world.

In fact, Li Shen should also be a member of the Guanlong Group, but because he sided with the royal family, he was easily at odds with other families.

Lu Shuang didn't hear what Li Shen mumbled, but judging from Prince Ji's expression, it seemed like he had guessed it.

After a moment, Li Shen asked again:

"And what about the others? I do know a thing or two about the aristocratic families, but who is this Han Yuan?"

Li Shen had no recollection of this person; he was probably not a celebrity.

"Your Highness, this Han Yuan is the son of Han Zhongliang, the founding duke of Yingchuan County. Han Yuan was outstanding in his youth, learned and talented, and knowledgeable in administration."

Later, he inherited the title of Duke of Yingchuan County. This time, he caught the eye of the Crown Prince, who wanted to promote him.

Lu Shuang replied immediately.

Han Zhongliang? I don't think I've ever heard of him, but since he has a title, he must be a famous person.

Seeing Li Shen's empty eyes, Lu Shuang guessed that Prince Ji had no idea who these people were. After thinking for a moment, she still offered an explanation.

"Your Highness, Han Zhongliang passed away in the twelfth year of Zhenguan. At that time, Your Highness was still young, so it is understandable that you do not remember him."

At that time, His Majesty also posthumously granted him the title of Minister of War, the posthumous name of Ding, and later the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

"So impressive!" Li Shen was somewhat shocked. This Han Zhongliang actually had a posthumous title and was even granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

No wonder the Crown Prince wanted to promote Han Yuan; he was born into a loyal family and had a good father.

"Since the Crown Prince intends to recommend someone, why has he not yet made a decision?"

Li Shen inquired.

"Well, I don't know much about that, but I guess it's related to Yang Hongli and the Cui and Li families."

During the Great Court's proceedings, a discussion was held. Yang Hongli and the Cui family had the most supporters, while Han Yuan had the fewest.

That's why His Highness the Crown Prince is hesitant and finds it difficult to make a decision.

(Even for a minor character or extra, I have to check their resume. Today I wrote about a minor character and found out that the character had been dead for several years, so I quickly made changes.)